A line of poetry consisting of five metrical feet, each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Let's break it down:
* Iamb: A metrical foot with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Think of the word "again" - the first syllable ("a") is unstressed, and the second syllable ("gain") is stressed.
* Pentameter: The word "penta" means five. So, pentameter refers to five metrical feet.
In essence, iambic pentameter creates a rhythm of "da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM."
Here's a famous example from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet":
"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?"
Notice the pattern:
* But, soft! (unstressed-stressed)
* What light (unstressed-stressed)
* through yon (unstressed-stressed)
* der win (unstressed-stressed)
* dow breaks? (unstressed-stressed)
Iambic pentameter is often used in dramatic poetry and plays, giving it a natural, conversational rhythm that mimics human speech. It's a key element of Shakespeare's writing and is considered the standard rhythm for blank verse.